Decision makers

Tell Wisconsin: Voting Rights are Human Rights

This week the state Legislature is debating a controversial measure requiring voters to show a photo identification before they can cast a ballot. The legislation, which proponents say will prevent people from voting illegally, would give Wisconsin arguably the most restrictive voter identification law in the country.

Critics say the measure is a solution in search of a problem. They say fears of voter fraud are overblown, and photo ID laws discourage many people from voting, especially college students, seniors, minorities and people with disabilities, groups which (probably not coincidentally) tend to vote for Democratic candidates. According to the Fiscal Bureau, about 20% of Wisconsin residents do not have the type of identification required under the bill. A 2005 UW-Milwaukee study found that as many as 55% of black men and 46% of Latino men did not have a state driver's license.A 2005 UW-Milwaukee study found that as many as 55% of black men and 46% of Latino men did not have a state driver's license. That same study found that 49% of black women and 59% of Latinas do not have licenses. It's not known what percentage of those groups have other acceptable forms of photo ID.

This bill is nothing less than an attempt to disenfranchise the most vulnerable members of our community, setting the clock back decades to the time of poll taxes and literacy tests. Sign this petition and tell Wisconsin that you support voting rights for all people.

This week the state Legislature will debate a controversial measure requiring voters to show a photo identification before they can cast a ballot. The legislation, which proponents say will prevent people from voting illegally, would give Wisconsin arguably the most restrictive voter identification law in the country.

Critics, including we the undersigned, say the measure is a solution in search of a problem. They say fears of voter fraud are overblown, and photo ID laws discourage many people from voting, especially college students, seniors, minorities and people with disabilities. According to the Fiscal Bureau, about 20% of Wisconsin residents do not have the type of identification required under the bill. A 2005 UW-Milwaukee study found that as many as 55% of black men and 46% of Latino men did not have a state driver's license. That same study found that 49% of black women and 59% of Latinas do not have licenses. It's not known what percentage of those groups have other acceptable forms of photo ID.

This bill is nothing less than an attempt to disenfranchise the most vulnerable members of our community, setting the clock back decades to the time of poll taxes and literacy tests. Stand up against this despicable attack on voting rights and keep voting accessible for all people.